France coach Domenech saves comments for team sponsor

PARIS, May 16 (Reuters) France coach Raymond Domenech has stirred controversy by saving his views on his World Cup squad for one of the team's sponsors.

Domenech refused to answer questions after unveiling his list at a short news conference on Sunday, making only a few general remarks before naming the 23 players he will take to Germany for the June 9-July 9 finals.

The news conference was broadcast live on French television and watched by 4.9 million viewers.

Yesterday, owners of a 3-G mobile phone operated by the SFR network were able to watch a short video from Domenech in which he made a few remarks.

Domenech notably explained how tough it had been to pick Fabien Barthez over Gregory Coupet as his number one goalkeeper.

''It was 50-50 but I had to make a choice,'' he said. ''It was not easy.'' Domenech bowed to popular demand by selecting Olympique Marseille's Franck Ribery, a gifted attacking midfielder whom he had so far overlooked.

''We need such players who are young, a little bit reckless and will be happy whether they play 10 minutes, 15 minutes or not at all,'' the coach said.

The biggest surprise in Domenech's squad is the presence of Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda.

In the video, Domenech briefly explained that he needed cover for the right back position. His first choice in that position is Bayern Munich's Willy Sagnol.

Zinedine Zidane used a similar method to Domenech when he announced in August last year that he had decided to resume playing for France.

The Real Madrid midfielder had given the news first to one his sponsors, also a mobile network operator.

Reuters DH GC1720